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Ice Crystal Fig Tree

Ice Crystal (Ficus carica 'Ice Crystal') is a most unusual fig, with divided leaves that appear in the shape of ice crystals making this a very ornamental plant. It is very hardy and also produces delicious, small figs.

A taste of the Meditteranean or the Alps. Fig trees make an attractive garden tree, with its strong branch structure creating an interesting appearance. Figs from this tree are exceptionally tasty brownish-purple fruit, which is produced twice a year, in late spring and again in late summer.

If you are confused about figs and are not in the mood to buy one that could be new, problematic, exotic, non-mainstream or whatever your perception maybe, then the Brown Turkey Fig Tree is for you. We are not sure why it is more popular, it just may be that it has been around for longer. We would not sell any fig tree that would not be suitable for UK growing conditions and we add new fig trees to the range from time to time once we have had chance to see their track record. So buy this fig tree if you already have a Brown Turkey Fig tree or want to try something a little different.

Folklore states that the Greeks, the Spartans and athletes included figs as their staple diet, as it increased their strength and swiftness. In fact, in ancient Greece it was forbidded to export figs. During the time of the Roamn Empire, in Latin mythology, it was dedicated to Bacchus (Dionysus) the 'jolly god' who was supposed to have gained his vigor from the fig tree. Figs were used in religious ceremonies. In fact, figs were held sacred by the Romans because the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus rested under a Fig tree. Figs were offered as presents during the celebrations of the first day of the year by Romans.

The inhabitants of Cyrene crowned themselves with wreaths of Figs when sacrificing to Saturn, as he was said to have discovered the the fruit. The fig was considered an antidote against poison. Much interesting history that will make your Fig tree a worthy addition to your garden. Expect a final height of between 5m and 7m (15ft and 21ft) if planted out of a container.

We usually have 2 options of Ice Crystal fig tree to choose from which are:

5 Litre: Around 80 to 150 cm tall.

12 Litre: Around 150-250 cm tall. Usually Half Standard but not guaranteed.

If the option you are interested in is not listed then we are waiting for them to come back into stock.

Ice Crystal Options ExplainedHalf Standard refers to the shape it has been pruned to. It looks a bit like a lollipop shape in that around half the tree has a clear stem. Considered quite ornamental but arguably less branches for figs to grow on.

Fruit Tree Life ExpectancyMost fruit trees will give you AT LEAST 40 years of fruit. Pears can go to 70. Records of 200 year old trees exist but this is the exception, not the rule.

Do I Need To Stake My Bare Root Fruit Tree?9 out of 10 times the answer will be no, especially if under 200cm tall. However our article onTree Staking should help guide you.

Fig Tree Planting

Most fig trees thrive better in a sheltered but full sun position i.e. facing South or South West. For larger crops of figs, contain the roots because if allowed to grow uncontrolled, the tree will do a "Prescott" (Put all efforts into getting bigger). Fig tree roots are known to be wanderers and can travel quite a distance. Keep in a 45cm (18 inch pot) or more, which can also be buried for a conventional look. Do not fill with soil, leave at least 10 cm (4 inches) for compost which will be required every year or other form of feeding.

You can vary the size of the pot or other root restriction e.g a hole surrounded with buried paving slabs and broken brick on the bottom, the rule of thumb is the smaller the pot or confined area, the smaller the tree will be but pruning can also be used to restrict final size. We put ours in 80 litres containers and may take them up to 150-200 depending on their progress.

No need to worry so much about soil quality, Fig trees will thrive in most conditions, especially chalky. For legal reasons we should point out that a nuclear winter, meteorite strike and agent orange do not come under "most conditions".

White Marsaille, Bayernfeige Violetta, Ice Crystal and Brown Turkey are best for outdoor growing, most others would benefit from some form of shelter.

Fig Tree Root StockFig trees are one of the few fruit trees we sell that are not grafted (grown as Mother Nature intended)

Preserving Figs

If don't have enough friends to give them away to then try preserving figs in the drying cupboard. Rotate them daily and in 6-8 weeks you will have dried figs and possibly a lot of wet washing.

Brown Turkey Fig (Ficus Carica)

This is our most popular Fig Tree, possibly because of the distinctive sweet taste.

Fig Tree Aftercare

As with all other restricted root growth or containerised trees, ensure you water regularly, especially in summer when 3 times a week in very warm weather maybe required. If potted, the smaller the pot, the quicker it will dry out. Although fig trees can cope with drought, it will cause the figs to drop prematurely and too much water will cause the fruits to split. As a guide, if the top 4-6 inches of soil are dry then time to water. Little and often in the mornings or evenings is easier and better than a lot in one go however we all have a life so don't loose any sleep over it. A mulch will reduce evaporation and therefore the need to water as much. We are experimenting by growing Red Clover at the base of our containerised trees. They are a green manure and should reduce the need for watering.

If the Fig tree is struggling e.g. leaves not so healthy, fruit production poor, our of breath when it climbs the stairs then feed with compost/well rotted manure or high potash liquid such as tomato feed once the fruit starts to show.Potted fig trees and restricted root growth will need feeding more than planted trees. Advice on feeding varies from not at all if the soil quality is good to every week once fruit starts to show. If the tree looks healthy, we tend to let it get on with it.

Some Figs are hardy down to -10 centigrade but the tips are vulnerable to frost and this is where the fruits will be made. If you live in a particularly harsh frost area or your potted Fig tree is the equivalent to Wilson the ball from Castaway and you take it on Polar expeditions with you then you might want to wrap it in fleece if planted during the frost season or move to a warmer environment if potted e.g. greenhouse or conservatory, even a shed or garage.

Fig Tree Pruning

Be wary of the white sap when pruning as it can be a skin irritant.If your fig tree is looking a little sorry for itself, hard prune and leave, it will produce new growth and recover. Try not to take more than 25% off if possible.

The best time to prune a fig tree is in Spring although removing dead or diseased branches can be done at any time. Cut out any branches that are crossing with others.

In early summer, shorten the new growth to 5-6 leaves to encourage new tips formation which increases fruit yield.

You can train your tree as a fan shape or as a standard "lollipop" shape.

When pruning your fig tree, aim for an open crown. This is when you allow the light and air into the centre of the fig tree. If you are going to remove a branch, ensure you leave a 2 inch or 5 cm stub.

Fig Tree Fruits

When the fruits start to appear, cover with a net to deter birds. The fruits are ready when they start to droop on the stalk with well coloured skin or the skin cracks.

In very warm climates and some greenhouses depending on location, you get up to three flushes of fruits.

Only the small embryonic fruits forming on last years growth will turn in to ripe fruits. A second embryonic crop may appear in the summer and if they survive the winter should ripen the next year. In November, any figs larger than little embryos (about pea sized) should be picked off as they are unlikely to ripen or survive the winter. So in summary, leave the small pea sized fruits alone all year but in Autumn pick off all those larger than that.

Unripe Figs will not mature after they have been picked unlike some other fruits.

General Fig Tree Information

Ifyou do not know what type of fig tree you have, give it a sunny and sheltered spot. If you have one of the hardy varieties e.g. White Marsailles, Brown Turkey, Ice Crystal and Bayernfeige then a sunny spot will do. If containerised, bring it into a greenhouse, conservatory or other protected environment (armoured vehicle?) during Winter. Planting close to a south facing wall will help but fan training it against a south facing wall will be even better.

Most fig trees can spread up to 3m if left to grow unchecked.

All cuttings will grow into female trees and bear fruit.

Figs are apparently good for treating warts!

Figs can be used as a laxative and are good for diabetics as they are high in sugar.